Cable connector for outlet boxes



y 1939- C M; J. CONNERS- 2,160,353

CABLE CONNECTOR FOR OUTLET BOXES Original Filed Ju'n .4, 1955 /W/-H,4z. J Can/N595.

INVENTOR.

WNEJS, g%" 6% ATTORNEYS.

Patented May 30, 1939 UNITED STATES CABLE CONNECTOR FOR OUTLET BQXES Michael J. Connors, Larchmont, N. Y.

Original application June 4, 1936, Serial No. 83,492, now Patent No. 2,128,040, dated August 23, 1938. Divided and this application January 13, 1938, Serial No. 184,726

2 Claims.

tion to provide a new and novel construction of I support for supporting electrical conductors in the walls of outlet boxes.

l It is another object of the invention to provide a novel connector of the type mentioned which also functions to connect a conductor or cable to the wall of an outlet box and prevent relative movement thereof.

It is another object of the invention to provide a novel means for attaching a connector in operative position in the wall of an outlet box.

Still a further object of the invention resides in a novel construction whereby the connector may be attached to the wall of an outlet box without necessitating the use of tools or separate fastening means.

Still a further object of the invention resides in the provision of a novel structure whereby 33 certain elements employed in connection with the coupling, are clearly visible from within the outlet box when the several parts are in their assembled position.

Various other objects will appear as the nature of the invention is better understood and reference will be had, therefore, to the following specification and claims and the accompanying drawing, in which:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of D an outlet box showing a connector constructed in accordance with the present invention attached thereto with an electrical conductor in place in said connector.

Figure 2 is a detail sectional view taken subwhen removed, provide openings for the reception of electrical conductors leading into and from the box in the ordinary manner.

A connector constructed in accordance with the present invention comprises a main body portion 52 which is of cylindrical tubular form. One end of the body portion is defined by an outstanding annular fiange it and this end constitutes the outer end of the connector when in position in the outlet box. The other end is formed with an. inwardly projecting annular flange M and this end constitutes the inner end of the connector When in position in the outlet box. The inwardly projecting annular flange I4 is provided, is also a portion of the main body portion, with a plurality of cut out portions l5, the purpose of which will be hereinafter more clearly described.

The main body portion Q2 of the connector is also provided with a plurality of longitudinally extending relatively narrow slots E6, the purpose of which will hereinafter become apparent.

Surrounding the inner end of the main body portion, there is a band i! and this band is adapted to abut the inner edge of the annular flange i i heretofore mentioned as best illustrated in Figures 3 and 4. Projecting from one edge of the encircling band ii, there is a plurality of resilient fingers it, which are adapted, when the encircling band is placed in proper position upon the main body portion, to register with the cut out portions or slots l5 thereof.

There is also provided a spring finger 19 provided with conductor engaging teeth 25!, the purpose of which will be hereinafter pointed out.

In use, the inner end of the main body portion is inserted in an opening in the wall of the outlet box, which opening is formed by removal of a knock-out ii. The connector is next forced into said opening, it being understood that a conductor is positioned within the connector.

As the connector is passed through the opening in the wall of the outlet box, the resilient fingers l8, as well as the resilient finger 19, will stantially on the line 2-2 of Figure 1, pass into their corresponding slots in the body 4 Figure 3 is a perspective view of the connector, portion, it being understood that there will be a Figure 4 is a longitudinal sectional view of the slot provided for the reception of each resilient connector on a slightly enlarged scale, the view finger, to permit of movement of the connector being taken substantially on the line 44 of Figrelative to the wall of the outlet box to an exure 3, and; tent which will permit the resilient fingers l8 to 5 Figure 5 is a detail sectional View taken subengage the wall of the outlet box and function stantially on the line 55 of Figure 4. in cooperation with the fiange l3 to secure the Referring to the drawing, the reference nuconnector in place in the manner clearly illusmeral l0 designates an outlet box having the trated in Figure 2 of the drawing.

conventional knock-outs ll. These knock-outs, As is also illustrated in Figure 2 of the draw- 55 ing, the resilient finger l9 will be operated in such a manner that the biting teeth 20 will be moved into biting engagement with the conductor and will be retained in this position by reason of its engagement With the defining edge of the opening in which the connector is mounted.

In the installation of such devices, certain regulations require that an insulating bushing be employed betwen the conductor and the connector. In the drawing, this bushing is designated 30 and is passed around the conductor before the same is inserted into the connector. This bushing 30 is so positioned that it will extend beyond the armor of the conductor as illustrated in Figure 2, and when in proper position, will be clearly visible through the openings l5, heretofore mentioned when the connector and conductor are in operative position. By this construction, it will be apparent that an inspector, merely by looking into the outlet box, can determine whether the bushing has been applied as required merely by glimpsing a sight thereof through said opening l5.

By reference to Figure 2, it will be apparent that when the device is placed in position in one of the knock-out openings of an outlet box, the resilient fingers i8, will spring outwardly as their free ends clear the opening in the wall of the outlet box and in springing outwardly, will engage behind the wall of the outlet box to prevent withdrawal or accidental displacement of the connector relative to the wall of the outlet box.

It will also be apparent from said Figure 2, that the resilient finger l9 which carries the biting teeth 20 in engagement with the conductor, will by reason of the fact that it is slightly longer than the fingers l8, engage the inner wall or edge of the knock-out opening and will, by reason of such engagement, be maintained in such position that its biting teeth 20 will be positively held in biting engagement with the conductor to prevent longitudinal movement thereof so long as the conductor is in position in the knock-out opening.

While in the present illustration of the invention I have repeatedly mentioned'an electrical conductor, it is to be understood that this term is intended to include conductors of all types, as well as armored cables for protection of such conductors and that when armored cables are employed, the biting teeth will engage the armor rather than the conductor.

From the foregoing, it will be apparent that the present invention provides a new and improved connector for supporting and attaching conductors, either armored or otherwise, in the walls of outlet boxes, which may be placed and which is held in operative position without necessitating the aid of special tools, fixtures or clips.

While the invention has been herein illustrated in a preferred form, it is to be understood that it is not to be limited to the specific construction herein shown, and that it may be practiced in such other forms as rightfully fall within the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new, is:

1. A cable connector for outlet boxes comprising a tubular member adapted for insertion in a knock-out opening of an outlet box, said tubular member having a plurality of elongated slots in its side walls, a band encircling said tubular member, a plurality of resilient fingers extending from said band there being one resilent finger for each of said slots and one of said fingers a knock-out opening of an outlet box, said tubular member having a plurality of elongated slots in its side walls, an outstanding annular flange upon the outer end of said tubular member, a band encircling the inner end of said tubular member, a plurality of resilient fingers extending from said encircling band in the direction of the outer end of the tubular member, there being a resilient finger for each of said slots, certain of said resilient fingers being of such length that their free ends are spaced with respect to the afore-mentioned flange upon the outer end of the tubular member, a distance substantially equal to the thickness of the wall of the outlet box to which the tubular member is attached, and at least one of said members being long enough to extend substantially to said afore-mentioned annular flange and into the knock-out opening of the outlet box, and conductor engaging means carried by said last mentioned finger and held in conductor engaging position by its engagement with the defining edge of the knock-out opening in which the connector is positioned.

MICHAEL J. CONNERS. 

